The European champions left it very late to snatch a 23-13 victory from under the noses of the French team, scoring two tries in a four-minute spell to send the Top 14 club home without the consolation of a bonus point.

O'Connell was at the centre of the first half's most controversial moment when, after a bout of fisticuffs with Cudmore, the Clermont lock was sent off while the Munster skipper was sin-binned.

"I saw him (Cudmore) going for Jerry (Flannery) on the ground, so I went to grab him, and pull him off Jerry,” he said.

"I think he had three punches in on me before I knew it. That's it, but we've kissed and made up already!

"These things happen. They're a team that play with a lot of heart and passion and these things will happen in rugby matches.

"I've a lot of respect for them, the way they played today and the way they played in the last few weeks and I'm looking forward to their performance against Sale."